Thank You Card

One of my favourite presenters on Hochanda has to be Phill Martin.  The laughable thing that is until a friend bought me this gorgeousssssssssssss stamp for Christmas I had none of his stamps.  As a thank you for some kind people at work who bought me some chocolates for Christmas I made this "thank you" card for them.

I started off with a plain piece of card and used my Tim Holtz Faded Jeans and Peeled Pain distress inks to colour the sky and grass.  I have then used the Phill Martin rubber stamp "On Safari" with black Versafine via my Tim Holtz stamping platform.  Silhouette stamps can be difficult to stamp but thankfully with one of my best buys for 2018 I could re-stamp the image twice to get a clear impression with the stamping platform.

I then used a Spellbinders label and cut out from white card, stamped a sentiment on it and edged with the Faded Jeans distress ink so it would merge into the sky.

I finished off the card with some matting and layering and nothing else as I wanted this beautiful stamp to do the talking.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafting with Friends - Anything goes
Cards Galore Encore - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes

Love to Craft - Anything goes

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything goes

Love to Scrap - Anything goes with the option of monochrome
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes

2 Crafty Critters - Anything goes with critters

Stamping Sensations - All things bright and beautiful (for me things like trees, animals and birds are beautiful and we need to be grateful for these)

Love to Create - Anything creative/mixed media goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option to use a critter
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps February 2019 Facebook Challenge - VALENTINE'S DAY/LOVE/FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL

 Today is the start of the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Facebook Group Monthly Challenge.

The topic for the Facebook February 2019 challenge is "VALENTINE'S DAY/LOVE/FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL".

Here is my inspiration post with this theme.

For my love card I have used one of the newly released Ching-Chou Kuik grayscale digital stamps called "Key to my Heart" (it comes in a set along with "One and Only Heart" and "Key of Love").  I have coloured the image in with Promarkers and inked around the image with Tim Holtz's Pumice Stone distress ink.

The backing papers are from Carta Bella.

I have finished the card off with a doily (I have chalked over the rose and leaves of the doily), two different spotty ribbons and some gems.

The Promarkers that I have used are: 

Face/skin - Saffron, Spice and Oatmeal 

Hair - Ice Grey 1 and Ice Grey 2

Flowers - Red, Poppy and Crimson

Bird/other accents - Ice Grey 1, Ice Grey 2, Ice Grey 3, Red, Poppy and Crimson.

I am entering this card into the following challenges: 

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
Crafty Friends - Animals/birds
Simon Says - Love is in the air
Scrapbook Stamp Society - Anything goes with the option of Valentine's
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Tuesday Throwdown - Anything goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Lemon Shortbread - Anything goes
Simon Says - Anything goes
Creatalicious - Anything goes with the option of love/hearts
CRAFT - Anything goes
Cute Card Thursday - Valentine's
Digi Doodle Studios - All about love
Love to Scrap - Anything goes with the option of monochrome
Love to Craft - Anything goes
Crafting with Friends - Anything goes
Cards Galore Encore - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
Brown Sugar - Love and/or St Valentine's Day
Pearly Sparkles - It's a love thing
Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper February Challenge - Anything goes
Morgan's Artworld February Challenge - Anything goes
Classic Design Team Open Challenge - Anything goes
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of lots of layers
Polkadoodles - Anything goes

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps - New release

Today sees the arrival of a set of new images in the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Etsy Store: 

  This image is called "Black Rose"  

In this set you will get a black-and-white image and also a partially coloured image by Ching-Chou Kuik herself.

It is on a special introductory offer and is $3.00 (instead of $4.00).

Hurry as this offer ends on 4 February 2019.

My first and certainly not my last shadow box!!!!

I have wanted to make a shadow box for a long time now.  I decided to have a go at making one for a friend's birthday.

For the shadow box I used my Debbi Moore "My Fair Lady" CD and used backing papers and a topper to make into a many layered picture.  For the flowers I used my Debbi Moore "Art Deco Rome" CD.

It was nice being able to use lots and lots of layers as there was a good depth in the shadow box.  I added some pearls.

When I put it all together in the box I was not keen on a white mount so I used my Tim Holtz Vintage Photo distress ink and I think this worked better.

It took some time to cut all the flowers out and I inked around the edges with a Pumpkin Spice Versa Magic ink pad.

The box was then finished off with a gold and cream organza ribbon.

What I like with the shadow box is that you can hang it on the wall but the depth of the box is enough so it can stand by itself like on a mantelpiece.

Think I will have to think about making a shadow box for myself in the future.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option of watercolouring
Artistic Inspirations - Anything goes with the option of you are it
Ally's Angels - Anything goes

CD Sunday - Anything goes using a CD

We Love to Create - Anything creative mixed media goes

Colour Crazy Challenge Blog - Friday 25 January 2019

  Good morning. 

I just thought I would let you know that there is a Design Team Call over at the Colour Crazy Challenge Blog.  If you fancy joining a fabulous and friendly design team please pop on over HERE to read all the details.

It is time for another challenge over at the Colour Crazy Challenge Blog.

The topic this week is "anything goes".

PLEASE NOTE:  We are a colouring challenge and therefore to take part in the challenge you MUST have coloured something on your card/creation and you MUST specify the colouring medium you have used.

Today we are very lucky to have Lemon Shortbread as our sponsor this week.

 For my "get well soon" card I have used the Lemon Shortbread image called "Rainy Days".  I have coloured the image in with Promarkers  and highlighted all the water drops with my Sakura Stardust Clear Pen.

The backing papers are from my stash.  On a piece of Kraft card I put it through a cloud embossing folder and highlighted with my Imagination Crafts Inca Gold Alchemy Wax to add a bit of shine.

I have finished the card off with some vintage style large and flowers.

The Promarkers that I have used are: 

Face/skin - Saffron, Spice and Oatmeal
Hair - Raw Sienna and Cocoa
Umbrella/coat/boots - Buttercup, Lemon, Yellow and Ice Grey 2.
Ground - Putty and Pastel Beige.

I am entering this card into the following challenges: 

Scrapbook Stamp Society - Anything goes

Lemon Shortbread - Anything goes

A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
Cardz 4 Galz - Dimensional elements (flowers and lace)
World Wide Open Design Team - Anything goes
Crafting with Friends - Anything goes
A Gem of a Challenge - Anything goes
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
Crafting from the Heart - Anything goes
Passion for Promarkers - Flowers
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes with the option of love or wedding/anniversary
Crafting by Designs - Layer it up!
Crafty Creations - Anything goes
Creative Moments - Anything goes
Aud Sentiments - Anything goes and sentiment
Tuesday Throwdown - Embossing (I have done dry embossing on my card)
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the optional twist of ribbon/lace (I have used lace on my card)
Polkadoodles - Anything goes

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration Post - Friday 25 January 2019

  Here is my weekly inspiration post for the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Monthly Challenge Blog.

Before I do I'd like to remind you that our challenge this month is "NEW BEGINNINGS" eg New Year, new baby, new home, new job or new crafty stash.

This week the Design Team were challenged to "USE AT LEAST 2 DIFFERENT RIBBONS".

Here is my inspiration post with that theme.

 For my Christmas card - well it's best to keep up with making cards for Christmas 2019 - I have used an image from the Pre-coloured Winter Holiday Set 1 called "Aurora Woods".

The backing papers were reduced at Hobbycraft but are beautiful with lots of glitter.

I have finished the card off with a spotty grosgrain ribbon, brown satin ribbon, two wooden deer coloured with Promarkers and a die-cut sentiment.

I am entering this card into the following challenges: 

Lemon Shortbread - Anything goes

A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
World Wide Open Design Team - Anything goes
Crafting with Friends - Anything goes

Crafty Hazelnut Christmas - Anything goes with the option to add a sentiment
A Gem of a Challenge - Anything goes
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
Crafting from the Heart - Anything goes
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Crafting by Designs - Layer it up!
Crafty Creations - Anything goes
Creative Moments - Anything goes
Fab n Funky - Christmas
Aud Sentiments - Anything goes and sentiment
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the optional twist of ribbon/lace (I have used ribbon on my card)

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration Post - Friday 18 January 2019

 Here is my weekly inspiration post for the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Monthly Challenge Blog.

Before I do I'd like to remind you that our challenge this month is "NEW BEGINNINGS" eg New Year, new baby, new home, new job or new crafty stash.

This week the Design Team were challenged to "PEARLS OR GEMS".

Here is my inspiration post with that theme.

 For my "just for you" card I have used the Ching-Chou Kuik image called "Flowing in Blue - Grayscale" (which comes in a set along with Dark Lilies and Hello Spring).  I have coloured the image in with more pastel colours with my Promarkers and and have gone with with the blue/teal colour scheme.

The backing papers are from my stash and I think they are from a Dovecraft set which came with cards, envelopes, flowers, papers, buttons, gems and sentiments.

I have finished the card off with some flowers, buttons, sentiment, gems and pearls.

The Promarkers that I have used are:

Face/skin - Saffron, Spice and Oatmeal
Hair - Mustard, Pastel Yellow and Saffron
Dress/moth - Duck Egg, Aqua and Soft Green
Sky - Blue Pearl.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Ally's Angels - Anything goes
Scrapbook Stamp Society - Anything goes
Lemon Shortbread - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
The Paper Shelter - Digital image
Cardz 4 Galz - Dimensional elements (flowers and gems)
As You Like It - Are you favourites pearls or buttons and why? (As you can see from this card I have used both.  I have to say my favourite would be buttons.  I love to add them to centres of flowers for some dimension.  I have about 10 jars of buttons in lots of colours so I have plenty to choose from to compliment my cards!!  If I am posting cards and I still want buttons I have a die-cut that cuts buttons)
World Wide Open Design Team - Anything goes
Crafting with Friends - Anything goes
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of blue, green and one other colour
Polkadoodles - Anything goes

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps - New release

 Today sees the arrival of a set of new images in the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Etsy Store: 

 This set of images is called the "Love Mermaid Set".

In this set you will get THREE grayscale images called "Wait for You", "Forever Valentine" and "Intense Red". 

  This set is available in the Etsy Store at a special introductory price of $4.50 (instead of the usual $6).

Hurry as this offer ends on 21 January 2019.

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration Post - Friday 11 January 2019

  Here is my weekly inspiration post for the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Monthly Challenge Blog.

Before I do I'd like to remind you that our challenge this month is "NEW BEGINNINGS eg New Year, new baby, new home, new job or new crafty stash".

Here is my inspiration post with that theme.

 For my Happy New Year card I have used the polar bear and rabbit image from the Ching-Chou Kuik digital stamps set called "Sparklers Set".  I have coloured the images in with Promarkers and chalked around the image.  For the sparkly sparklers I have added Stickles glitter glue and finally stamped a sentiment.

The backing papers are from First Edition.

I have finished the card off with some die-cut splodges, gems, some new black lace I bought on one of my trips away last year (well we cannot have too much lace can we especially in different colours?) and ribbon.

The Promarkers that I have used are: 

Polar bear/bunny - Ice Grey 1, Ice Grey 2 and blender pen.
Scarves/hats - - Powder Blue, Denim and Blue Pearl.

I am entering this card into the following challenges: 

Morgan's Artworld - Anything goes

Lemon Shortbread - Anything goes

Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper January Challenge - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
2 Crafty Crazy Critters - Anything goes with critters
Crafts Galore Encore - Anything goes
Love to Scrap - Anything goes
Digi Doodle - Happy anything (Happy New Year)
The Crafty Addicts - Anything goes with the option of its a purrfect day
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
Crafting by Designs - Anything goes
A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything goes
Classic Design Team Open Challenge - Anything goes
Crafting with an Attitude - Anything goes
As You Like It - Anything goes
CRAFT - New (Year, baby, job etc)
Cute Card Thursday - Anything goes
Daisy Chain Challenge - Add some sparkle (pearlescent chalks and Stickles glitter glue)
Crafting with Friends - Anything goes
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option of watercolouring
Creative Moments - Anything goes
Artistic Inspirations - Anything goes with the option of you are it
Creative Craft Cottage - Winter
Simon Says - Use something new (new black lace)
Make my Monday - Use words or a sentiment
Crafting from the Heart - Anything goes
Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Passion for Promarkers - Dies and/or punches (die-cut splats)
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes with the option of something new (card for New Year and new black lace)
Crafty Creations - Anything goes
Fab n Funky - New beginnings (New year)
The Paper Shelter - New beginnings (New year)
Pearly Sparkles - Anything goes
Cute Card Thursday - What's new (New Year and new black lace)
Ally's Angels - Anything goes
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the optional twist of birthdays
Polkadoodles - Anything goes

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps - New release

  Today sees the arrival of a set of new images in the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Etsy Store: 

 This set of images is called the "Hello Love Set".

In this set you will get THREE Grayscale images called One and Only Heart, Key to my Heart and Key of Love.

 This set is available in the Etsy Store at a special introductory price of $4.50 (instead of the usual $6).

Hurry as this offer ends on 11 January 2019.

Calendars for 2019

For fourteen of my work colleagues I decided this year not to make Christmas cards.

Instead I made them all a handmade calendar with a sticky note dispenser.

 It took me a few months to make them all from my own template I made a few years ago.

 The backing papers I have used are all scraps from my scraps folder.

A few of the toppers are from a Hunkydory topper set and the rest are from various Debbi Moore Inspiration Magazines.

The calendars were all then decorated some with Stickles glitter glue, ribbon, doilies and die-cut embellishments.

Overall they were well appreciated.

I am entering these calendars I have made into the following challenges:

The Crafty Addicts - Anything goes with the option of its a purrfect day (two of the calendars were made with Hunkydory cat toppers)

Crafting by Designs - Anything goes

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything goes

Crafting with an Attitude - Anything goes

As You Like It - Anything goes

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes

Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the optional twist of food or drink

Happy Birthday Ching-Chou Kuik

Today is a special day for the Ching-Chou Kuik's Design Teams as it is Ching-Chou's birthday.  

In her honour we are having a special mini-challenge on Facebook entitled "HAPPY BIRTHDAY".  Entrants to this challenge need to make something "happy birthday" related and use a Ching-Chou Kuik image.  

With her birthday being on 3rd day we are offering a prize for THREE winners winning THREE single images of their choice from the Etsy Store.

Here is the card that I have made using the Ching-Chou Kuik images "Sea Breeze - Grayscale" (which is in a set along with seven other mermaid images).  I have coloured the image in with Promarkers and distressed around the image with my Tim Holtz distressing tool and inked with a blue Versamagic ink pad.

The backing papers are from Hobbycraft.

I have finished the card off with some die-cut seaweed, pearls, die-cut seahorses, sentiment and a die-cut crab.

The Promarkers that I have used are:

Face/skin - Saffron, Spice and Oatmeal
Hair - Chestnut, Burnt Sienna and Terracotta

Mermaid tail/flowers - Purple and Amethyst

Rocks/dragonflies - Khaki, Pastel Beige, Marine and Duck Egg

Sea - Denim Blue and Pastel Blue.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Penny's Paper - Anything goes
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
Crafty Creations - Anything goes
Morgan's Artworld - Anything goes
Lemon Shortbread - Anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper January Challenge - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
Crafts Galore Encore - Anything goes
Love to Craft - Anything goes
Love to Scrap - Anything goes
Digi Doodle - Happy anything (Happy birthday)
Passion for Promarkers - Add a sentiment
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
The Crafty Addicts - Anything goes with the option of its a purrfect day
Crafting by Designs - Anything goes
A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything goes
Classic Design Team Open Challenge - Anything goes

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps January 2019 Facebook Challenge - NEW BEGINNINGS eg New Year, new baby, new home, new job or even new crafty stash

 Well last night we saw the end of 2018 and the start of 2019 has begun.  I hope you all have a happy New Year and I wish you all the very best for 2019.  Let's hope it is a happy, healthy and certainly VERY crafty 2019!!

Today is the start of the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Facebook Group Monthly Challenge.

The topic for the Facebook January 2019 challenge is "NEW BEGINNINGS" eg New Year, new baby, new home, new job or even new crafty stash.

Here is my inspiration post with this theme.

 As Design Team Leader for the Blog and Facebook Design Teams I am forever writing notes down ie to do things etc so I thought I would have a notebook especially for this.  The book started off as a turquoise colour and cost me £1.50 from Sainsburys.  I then thought it looked a bit boring so I decided to alter it.

For my altered notebook I have used the image "Papillon" and I have coloured the image in with Promarkers and highlighted areas with my white Posca pens.

 For my book I started off painting with a purple acrylic paint but the coating of the book didn't make it stick.  I should have used my gesso but it has gone thick like a texture paste so I think I need to get some more.  After that I used my Imagination Crafts Platinum Starlight Paint on the book on areas that would be seen ie not the whole of the front and back as they would be decorated.  I then edged the book with my Imagination Crafts Rich Gold Starlight Paint.  I was going to use my Imagination Crafts Dark Orchid Starlight Paint but although it had about an inch high worth of paint in it like the other two it had gone hard as I haven't used in the last year.

I have used various papers from my stash.  The decorated strips I used were from a friend and were light blue so I coloured with my Promarkers.  I then used some new Paperpabe Stamps that I got for Christmas for the wave-type effect and stamped with black Versafine.

I have finished the book off with die-cut words and number, decorative lace, velvet ribbon, die-cut flower, button, embossed panel from a Crafter's Companion 3D embossing folder and then lots of ribbon and fibres to decorate the spiral of the book.

So, for new beginnings, I have decorated this book so I can put everything I need to do for the Design Teams for 2019 in it so it is a NEW BOOK.  I have also used some NEW Paperbabe Stamps.

What will you use for the topic of "New beginnings"?

The Promarkers that I have used are: 

Face/skin - Saffron, Spice and Oatmeal 
Hair - Raw Sienna, Cinnamon and Caramel
Dress - Purple and Plum
Dog - Ice Grey 1, Ice Grey 2 and Ice Grey 3.

I am entering this card into the following challenges: 

Crafty Creations - Anything goes

Penny's Paper - Anything goes

QKR Stampede - Anything goes

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes
Simon Says - Anything goes
Cute Card Thursday - Anything goes
Morgan's Artworld - Anything goes
Lemon Shortbread - Anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper January Challenge - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
2 Crafty Crazy Critters - Anything goes with critters
Crafts Galore Encore - Anything goes
Love to Craft - Anything goes
Love to Scrap - Anything goes
Digi Doodle - Happy anything (this cute image makes me feel happy and happy that my book has been made out of everything purple as it is my favourite colour)
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes